Doris Saunders

Doris Saunders, passed away in Renton, Washington on July 9, 2017 at the age of 92.

Born Doris Annette Burch on April 18th, 1925 in Waitsburg, WA to Clarence A. Burch and Anna L. (Danielson) Burch. Married in 1948 to Richard W. Saunders. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, sister Lola, brother William, daughter Margaret Hatfield, son Bart Saunders, and grandsons Shane Hatfield and Joshua Hatfield.

Survived by 4 of her 6 children: Robert Saunders (wife Linda, daughters Sarah and Ruth); Janet Saunders Smith (husband Steven, son Michael and daughter Maniah); Nancy Belgard (husband Chuck and son Rex); Scott Saunders, (wife Dagmar, son Daniel, daughter Sarnah); and great grandson Shoshone Lewis.

Doris graduated Dixie High School in 1943 as salutatorian and graduated Whitman College with a BA in Music in 1947. She received her Masters and a teaching certificate in Music at the University of Oregon, Eugene in 1965. She taught instrumental and vocal music privately and for the public schools in Eugene. After returning to Walla Walla in 1978, she worked for the Army Corps of Engineers until her retirement in 1992.

Doris was a gifted violinist who played with Jackie Souders’ Orchestra, a 14-member Seattle swing band, and appeared with them at the Hippodrome, San Francisco during the 1940s. She was a member of the Eugene Symphony for 30 years and a life-long member of the Walla Walla Symphony. She joined the Walla Walla Symphony in high school and while attending Whitman she was a soloist and concert master. She once again served as concert master under the baton of Lee Friese in the 1980s and often appeared around town playing in quartets or as a soloist for special occasions. She took her violin with her everywhere she went, bringing joy to all, and practiced daily for her own pleasure.
Always active in the community, she was a Member of Pioneer United Methodist Church, Walla Walla Symphony, Mu Phi Epsilon, WAMI.

Memorial Services will be held at Pioneer United Methodist Church, Monday, July 17, 2017 at 2:00PM with Rev. Juli Reinholz, officiating.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Walla Walla Symphony or the Pioneer United Methodist Church through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362

Family and Friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com